The former world champion gave up the match mid-frame when trailing 1-4 to the Scot and then abruptly left the arena.

He cannot continue to perform in this way without some form of punishment

Sir Rodney Walker

"It was immensely disappointing," Walker told BBC Sport. "Ronnie is a star attraction and someone we want to showcase the sport.

"But sadly there is a flaw there which we believe we have to deal with.

"Ronnie either needs help or some sort of counselling because he can't go on letting the sport down.

"We can't allow a player, even of Ronnie's prominence, to behave in the way he did without answering the charge and giving an explanation of his behaviour."

Walker said he understood that O'Sullivan "doesn't identify himself" with the statement issued by his PR company later on Thursday, in which he apologised to Hendry and fans who had paid to come and watch him.

Walker added that the chairman of World Snooker's disciplinary panel would be writing to O'Sullivan inviting him to give an explanation, with a decision over possible disciplinary action taken in the new year.